Rock star Keith Richards says that he is finding cigarettes harder to give up than heroin.

The Rolling Stone, 75, said: “Quitting heroin is like hell, but it’s a short hell. Cigarettes are just always there, and you’ve always done it. I just pick ‘em up and light ‘em up without thinking about it.”

In an interview with Mojo magazine, the hell-raising guitarist said he was also drinking less.

He said: “I have a little wine with meals, and a beer or two, but otherwise... Mind you, if you say, ‘Do you want a drink?’ I wouldn’t turn it down. I’m not a puritan.”